Berry-harvesting machine.



W. GRIFFIN.

BERRY HABVESTING MACHINE. .APPLICAUON FILED FEB. l5. 1911.l

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR A TTORN E YS i wljrNEss me Nanms Pare-Rs co..-om-1.rrnu. wAsmNcmu. n r

BERRY HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.|5.1911.

1 277,7 l 5 Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEU 2- INVENTOR A TTCRNE YS W. GRIFFIN. BERRY HRVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I5. i917.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

@ICM

WITNESS 4% UNITED sTATEs rArENT OFFICE WILLIAM GRILFFINQ or ooEANeA'rn NEWV .I'EnsEY.

hnmaYlHARviisrrive ii'rnriINE.'

Lawrie.

citiaen i of the `United States", f and a' resident ofOcean Grate,jcounty of Ocean, and State of Nevvf Jersey, have 1 invented` certain new vand useful Improvements in Berry-'Harvesting Machines, Iof" which hhefouhwihg is a specification. y,

This invention relates to machines for liarvestingV gathering t'or 'picking various' kinds of berries74 su'chas cranberries and theilike,`

' and has for 'its object toipro'vide a machine of this character which willoperate to'se'ver Various kinds of berrles kfrom the vines Withoutfunnecessarily Vinjuring rthe' vines 4or 1n any' vv'ay' bruising' the 'berries 'which are' be# ing harvested and Will delrverjor collect the saine into a suitable 'detachable receptacle in a rapid and eiiic'ientVmanner.", v

ANiurther objectofthis ,mvention 1s to e provide a berry picking niaohine'vvhich may be .adjusted forvarious heights of vines and free from lanyioreli'gn matter. c

Further objects 'of'this invention are to provide a berry picking mechanism which is madeto rotateby operatively mounting the devieefion', afsuitable truckllike device which ispropelled eovergthe:A ground and is provided at its forwardend withl a pair of rimless WheelsY having spokes or legs" which may moved 'over the berry vines Without bruisi'ng. crushing or injuring the berries beiiore they are picked or injuring the vines,

While the rearavheels lofthe truck.v it used, may be ofthe ordinary kind since ythese wheels' pass over thevin'es afterthe berries havebeen picked. L

Further, objects of this;v invention are to provide in amachineothis eharactena unidirectional 'clutch m echanismbetween the ydriif'ingwheels off the truck and the picking mechanism combinedr With/a. brake, so that the picking mechanism will .operate when thedevice is'being pushed in one direction only `land when the machine is pulled back- Wardthis -reverse movement Will not operate to rotate the picker mechanism, which operation might otherwiseresult ininjury toit-he device', y'theY brake for the picker mechi anism'operating" in" combination With the clutch mechanism" to prevent the picking mechanism gfrom rotating reversely indep endentlyV ofthe clutch controlling mechamsm.

` F urthe" ohjectsof this invention will be apparent. from thelspeciiication and claims here/'unto:annexedl and *forming a vpart of `this specification, reference also beinghad to the acconi'panying drawings in which LFigure 1 is a side'elevation of one form of my invention and Fig. 2 a section taken "on line 2-.2

of Figi 1, While Fig. 53 represents a side ele- Specication of Letters Patent, i y Sept. A' AppliauchL filed February 15;'1917. 'serial N.'148,'72o. Y

vational view/ similar to Fig; 1 of a modified form' 'bf vmy invention. Referring'to'Figs'. 1 and2,.it-'Will be seen that this improved berry harvestingi machine comprises' af pair of stationary side plates'v 1 and 2 which arel provided With a rearwardly extending frame member 3, the frame 3 being 'attached vto the sidet plates 1 and 2in any'suitable' manner as by the bolts 5 shown' in Figi 1. T heiiirame'' has secured thereto Va receptacle or bag carryingirame 6 which 'extends forwardlyvand is secured to the side plates 1- and 2. The berry receptacle or bag S is vdetacha'bly supported by the traine member 6. A pair ofwvheelsQ may be provided to support .the frame 3 'and are 'suitablyY o'urnaled tothe rearwardly extending p 'ortionsof the frame members.

.The stationary side plates v1 "and 2 are connected together' and' braced by the transversely extending rods 10 to' make a `main stationary supporting frame. and each of thop'lates '1 yand 2 is nrovi'dedavith a bearing 114 upon which is mounted the'main driving'ivhecls 12and13 of the'harvesting machine ivhichare of special' construction and torni one of the'novel'fea'tures of my invention. The driving Wheels 12 and 13 are providedavith hubs 14 which may be secured on the bearings 11 'of thefram'es 1 and 2in any convenient or suitable manner, such as that illustrated 'in Fig. 2. Y The rdriving Wheels 12":1'nd13`are provided Witha pluraliitv of radially extending legsor spokes 15, clearlyshown in Figs. 1 `and 2 ofthe overthef'ground Covered by Tthe berry vines drawings. and may have enlarged! ends 16h' inner side plates 18 v gether by transverse rods 2O similar to the rods 10 which; brace the outer sideplates 1 and 2, which forms an outerrstationary supporting frame or cage while the innerframe forms an auxiliary inner frame and serves as means for supporting the pickingmechanism proper in the various adjusted positions to vary the height of the picking mechanism from the ground and also forms means for supporting a fan mechanism i which forms a part of this inventionand is also driven from the rimless driving wheels 12 and-13 above described. As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the inner side-frames 18 and 19 each have an outwardly extending bracket 21 passing through a .slot 22 in the outer stationary plates 1 and 2, andthe bracket 21 supports a ball bearing 23 which, in turn, carries the main shaft 24 of the berry picking mechanism. Looselymounted on the shaft 24 are the end plates or headsL 25 and'26 of the picking drum mechanism. These end plates support a plurality of longutudinal staves 27 which form, when covered with a suitable canv-as`27a, a drum-like structure which is designed to carry the berry picking fingers 29. An inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 will show that this mechanism constitutes in effect a drum-shaped member provided with any desired number of transverse rows of berry picker fingers 29 which ving keyed thereon. Vdescribed is m the shape of an are as shown are curved in a forward direction forming with the canvas surface of the drum, a trough-shaped rotating carrier for the berries after they have been picked from the vines. The surface of the drum may be provided at each end, if desired, with a shield or guard member 30 which operates to retain the berries in the trough-like arrangement formedv byrreason of a row ofV fingers across the surface of the drum-shaped carrier and thus prevents the berries from rolling longitudinally off of the edge of the drum.

In order to provide means for suitably rotating the drum picking mechanism, the

n main shaft 24 is provided at each end with a gear pinion 31 'which is secured to the shaft 24 in any desirable manner, as by be- The slotv y22 previously in Fig. 1 and is sufficiently wide to permit the pinions 31 to extend through the stationary yside plates 1 and 2 together with thesupporting brackets 21 hereinbefore described.. The: driving wheels 12 and 13 are provided with driving gears 32 which mesh with thepinion 31 and rotate the same. As the gear pinions 31 are adapted to rotate the'drum picking mechanism in one direction only, a ball clutch mechanism 33, shown in Fig. 2, is located between the pinion 31 and an outwardly extending hub 34 on the end plates 25 and 26 of the drum. The end plates 25 and 26 are also provided with a rim` 35 and the plates 18 and 19 have inwardly extending flanges 36 so that suitable brake means maybe provided for preventing the .drum from rotating backward relatively to the frames 18 and 19 as by Areason of the weight of the berries when the machine is stationary. To accomplish this result a suitable brake or clutch mechanism 37 is located in the rim or flange 35 and comprises ball races 38, arranged as shown in Fig. 1, and balls 40 located therein which operate in the manner well understood in the art to permit the drum picker mechanism tok rotate freely in one direction but prevent rotation of the same in a reverse direction.

The fan mechanism above referred to which forms a feature of my improved berry picking mechanism, is also carried by the adjustable plates 18 and 19 and is operated from the driving hubs 12 and 13. For this purpose each of the plates 18 Vand 19 is provided with an outwardly extending bracket 41 havingk attached thereto a ball bearing supporting arm 42 carrying the ball bearing 43, each bracket on either end of the machine being designed to support a short shaft 44.- Each of the shafts 44 is so mounted as to extend through the frames 18 and 19 and each carries at its outer end a spur gear 45 adapted to engage the driving gear 32 of the driving wheels 12 and 13. rI he plates 18 and 19 are also provided with an inwardly extending overhanging bracket 46 which carries a. ball bearing 47 adapted to support .the inner end of the short shaft 44 in a manner similar to that in which the other end of the shaft is supported by the ball bearing 43 in the arm 42. A gear 48 is keyed to each shaft 44 and conveniently located just inside the plates 18 and 19 as kclearly shown in Fig. 2. The gears 48 mesh with suitable gears 49, the gear 49 on each end of the device being connected by a transverse shaft 50 which forms the shaft for the fan blades 51. These fan blades may be of any suitable construction and may be inthe form of brushes if desired. A suitable casing 52 surrounds the fan blades and is provided with conveniently located openings to ,permit the dust and leaves or other lforeign matter which is liable to'be picked up ,with the berries by the curved fingers of the picking mechanism to be blown away th'esame from the Vines. :collect them iii the .reverie l*from .the receptacle into ,which 'thef'berries alone are ydeposited fby the .picker mechanism. n

-As show-n :in Fig. 1 ,fthe Vinner Afrain'es-IS vr`and119 are provided with a pliiralityfof openings orrecesses 53 Whilethestationary endplates 1 fand -2 are :provided with studs y54v'hic`h may ibeinserted into any one of the-openings 53m the vframe plates 18 and 19y andwthushold the V innerframe in various adjusted positions. vThe inner frame rformed by 'the plates18`and19 and the connectingv rods 20 carries the entire operative mechanism ofthe device and ispivoted yon f lthewhub --17 of the ,main stationary frame 'formed Vby the, side xplates' 1 and 2 and vbracing rods 10. TItWillbethus seen that the inner frame `may be rotated about the hubs L17 as apivot and may besecur'ed in various positions Yby reason of the engagementof the stud- 54 of the stationary side plates 1 :and

2 With the recesses 53and that thisy movement of "the inner: plates ,18 and v 19- operates to raise or'ioweritlie picker drum mechanism and thnsfpermits the 'device'to be adjusted so that the ypickerfingersv 29 'may -bge made 'to 'operate at any desired distance from plates 1 and -2 are yprovidedwith upwardly,

and 'rearwardly extending` 4handles or handlefarms 55 andthe tyvoarms Ymaybe 'connected by Ia suitable trailisverse'handle 56 y adapted kto 'b'egrasped l'by the 'operator lin propelling "themachine yover the ground.

From the description ofthe mechanism it 'Tis thought that the operation `'of the ymachine will Abe freadily understood. After Vvvthe lpicker drum has `been'a'dji'isted tothe des sired height,- themachine isv propel-led Vover ythe vines inthe manner `Vindicated above-and thev driving ivheeis12 and lrotated bythe spokes 15, operate throughthev 'spur-gear 31 andclutch mechanism v33 to rotate the drum [carrying the picker yii11-ge.r`sv29. The-:fingers engage underneath the berries and, severing trough formed the picker fingers V:29 :and

Ytofore d'escribe'd. As the "berries Eare carried up over the surface of thev "drum 'by one set f vlof iingers 29 and vreachftherearward"side of thesame they will readilyl rolloff the sur- `fac'efof thefd'rum and, being guided by the 'up-pei or Crear side of the Yadjacent set `:of

fingers '29 "ahead, will. =fall`into the receptacle or S fas will be fa-pparent from the Iconstructiondescribed aboveffand slidw'n in lfdraiifinlgs. .Thefaln -5'0 is alsoY operated fromv the gear (32h11: .the ydrivingivheels' 12 and 13 through the spur gear 145:; shaftf44,

driving-.gears and 49,.l :It Willithus be seen vthat' fas' jtliefdrum me ohamsm' V4carries the Y any other foreign matter collected with the berries or onl the surfaceN thereof, lt'li "ffan nate"cha'nisniloperatest to blow ayvay theleaves @nennst and permettetemi@ foffirep-Y im@ llieie'cfeptacle '8 free l from any dust, leaves, orffor'eignmatter. l i p j The Yclutch mechanism y3:3,a's Wil bereaid# Y understood from lthe foregoing ydescription Vpei-mits the" yde ice" to be 'dra'wii f the reverse direction 'yi'fitliout causing an actuation: of they berry picking mechanism vv'vhich might tendy "to injure the mechanism. Furthermore, ythis structure forms 'a 'didierential driving mechanism 'wvhich'perinits machine lis being turned )around iand l'thus Vone of thedriving VWheels 12 or 13 'is operat- Y Fiirthermore, when the rear 'supporting'ivheels 9 ing faster or' slower than the other.

We'refincidentally raised froin'ftlie ground and the device tur-ned"sh"arply yaround' the clutch mechanism 33 would permit one Ving Wheel 12 Vor'l to rotate Vtlieop- .posite/ direction lfrom the ,other and Would not.i jcause any, inj ury tothe mechanism.

Y theJ modicationshovvn inill- `stead ofthe drum-shaped picker mechanism,

I have .provided acha'inbelt mechanism for carryingthe curved'iingers' 29V instead ofthe drum lshown inthe modification offFigs. 1 and 2. F.urtliermore, invig.L 3 'is illustrated gconyentionally one Way in Which my improved berry picking machine may be L'driven by suitable motor. lThe nframes 1" and 2 thefdrum type .of machine illustratedA in n Figs. 1 and 2, and the end plate lis connect- .ed to the rearwardly extending yframe memvrber-3 which is vsupported by the rearl Wheels,

9 in the same manneras before. suitable motor may be carriedby, the rear'frame and operatively connected with the' Wheels' 9 Vvto'form one means whereby the machine may be suitably .propelled ,over the vines, 'l`he.` L berry receptacle 8 is detacliably held in a`l suitable frame structure 6 and the driving Wheels 12 kand 13 provided -vvith the radial spokes 15 and feet l''operate as the means y for rotating-the main y.gear 32V as Ain they modication yshovvn `in Figs'. 1 and 2. vIn' Fig. 3, the' inner frame 18,.'com1'ecte'd` by rods20 to a similar frame 19 on the other end of themachinc formsV an inner carrying iframe mechanismlwhich is pivotally v'mount-l ed in the outer stationaryframe formed by the members l and y2 which are connected. by the transverserods 10. VTheinner,frame is fprovided at each end With a bracllzetf42 V.designed to carry a ball Vbearing 43\vhicli. supports a shaft 44 .on which is loosely mounted the` pinion 457ad`apted 'tor` be rotated bythe -main driving gear 32on the driving Wheel 1,2.V The y shaft 44 extends through shoyvn in the, modification ofFig. 3 areA simi- Alar to the main frame members 1 yand of" ilo "the frame' 18 to' theu other side fofg'ythe. ina-fk .chine andl into the corresponding frame 13a member 19. Just inside of each of the frames 18 and 19 the shaft 44 has secured thereto a gear 58, and the gears 58 are adapted to carry the link chains 59 which`form means for supporting and carrying a wide endless belt structure 59a having secured thereto the picker lingers 29. 'Ihe belt 59a corresponds to and operates in substantially the same manner as the drum form of picking mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The chains 59 located at each 'end of the machine pass over the upper sprockets 58 and the lower sprocket wheels 60 carried bythe lower portion of each of the inner frames 18 and 19, the sprockets 60 being suitably journaled therein by an antifi'iction bearing. l

The upper transverse shaft 44 has secured thereto adjacent the gear 58, a driving gear (il, operated by a unidirectional clutch 38 from the pinion 45.l rlhe large gear 61 is r.designed to mesh with a gear 62 secured to a shaft 63 which in turn is journaled in a suitableVoverhanging bearing 64`to the mov'- able fraine 18. The shaft 63 extends through the frame 18 and has 'secured' to the outer end thereof a driving sprocket 65 which is connected by meansof thesprocket chain 66 to a small sprocket gear 67 on the fan shaft 50, the .sprocket 67 being suitably journaled in an overhangingbearing 68 on the movable frame 18, similar to the bracket42 which supports the shaft 44.

The inner frames 18 and 19 of Fig. 3 are provided with a plurality of recesses 53 similar t0 therecesses 53 in the inner frame of (Fig, 1, and the stationary frame f1 has a stud 54 extending into the recesses 53 to hold the inner movable frame in any desired position of adjustment. In this manner it will be seen that the curved ngers 29 n Fig. 3 I have provided a machine which which are operated by the sprocket chains 59, being secured to the endless belt 59a, may be adjusted to various heights from the ground by reason of the rotational movement of the inner frames 18 and 19 around thel aXis of the driving wheels 12 and 13 as a pivot. In view of the fact that the lower sprocket 60 is located inside of the inner frame and does not extend through the outer frame as does the driving pinion 31 of the l preferred form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, it is unnecessary to provide the outer frame 1 in Fig. 3 with the slot 22 of Figs. 1 and 2. rIhe upper surface or edge of the stationary main frame members 1 and 2 of Fig. 3, is out away in the manner indicated at 69 to permit the movement of the driving pinion 45 when the inner frame construction is adjusted relatively to the stationary frame members 1 and 2 to regulate the height of the picker fingers 29 from the ground.

The operation of the modification shown Y. in Fig. 3 being substantially the same as that shown `in Figs. land 2, it is thought modification.

that the same will be readily understood from l"the description thereof.A The machine shown in Fig. 3 may be substantially larger transversely than that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and lmay be propelled by the motor 57 as will be'readily understood. The height of the fingers 29 from the ground is adjusted by thestud 54 being inserted in any one of recesses 53 of the inner frame 18. The machine is propelled over the groundl by the motor 57 and as the spokes 15 move over the ground the wheels on each side of the machine rotate therewith and operate the drivL ing gearsl 32.A carried-tlicreby, which in turn rotate thepinion 45, Vclutch 38, driving gear 61',`shaft 44 and sprocket58. The sprocket 58, as it rotates, moves the link chain 59 and consequently the endless belt carrying the picker lingers 29 moves therewith and the fingers 29 `sever the berries from the vines and carry the same on the surface of the endless belt 59a of the picking mechanism.

and up over the upper shaft 44 in a manner '2.' The driving gear 61 on the shaft 44 Yrotates the'pinion 62 which carries the spocket shaft'63 and thus'cperates the driving chain to rotate the fan shaft 50 as in the other The fan operates to remove any dust, leaves or foreign matter from the berries as they come over the. upper shaft 44 and upon descending on the rearward side of the'endless belt mechanism the berries roll off the surface of the belt and onto the upper or rearward. side of the curved picker `fingers. 29 and hence are directed into the'receptacle 8 whose forward end is l0- cated adjacent the path of travel of the extreme points of the'picker fingers. It will thus be seen in the modification shown in may be operated in substantially the same manner as the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but has ineoporated therein certain differences of detailed construction necessary vin adapting the link belt or endless chain tatably supported on said movable frame and means connecting the driving mechanism with the picking mechanism to operate said mechanism.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a stationary supporting frame, driving wheels mounted on saidframe, an auxiliaryframe, pivoted on `said stationary frame, means forzsecuring port a driving mechanism, means to` V sup port a berry picking mechanism, a fan mechanism carried by said means, a pair of driving wheels, a berry picking mechanism, means connecting said driving wheels .to operate the berry picking mechanism, means connected to the driving mechanism to operate the fan mechanism, the machine operating as means to sever the berries from the vine, separate any foreign matter therefrom and deposit the Aberries in a suitable receptacle therefor.

4:. In a machine of the character described,` the combination of a stationary supporting frame, driving mechanism mounted thereon, a pivoted adjustable movable frame on said supporting frame, a berry picking mechansm operated from said driving mechanism, said picking mechanism mounted thereon and comprising a movable carrier structure and a plurality of picker iingers mounted thereon adapted to sever the berries from the vines and retain the same onY the movable surface while conveying the berries to a suitable receptacle. y

5. In a berry harvesting machine, a supporting mechanism, a berry picking mechanism mounted thereon, a driving mechanism therefor comprising a rotatable member contacted at succeeding points thereof with the ground together with means to transmit the motion of the rotatable member to various points in the berry picking mechanism, a unidirectional clutch between the driving mechanism and picking mechanism whereby the picking ymechanism is actuated only when the machine is advanced, and a brake mechanism carried by the supportingy means to prevent the picking mechanism from moving in a reverse direction.

Y 6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a main, relatively stationary frame carrying a Ydriving mechanism and a movable adjustable frame pivoted thereto, a berry picking and blower mechanism carried by said movable frame being thereby adjustable with vrespect to said stationary frame, a receptacle carried by said main frame, said picking mechanism including means for severing the berries from the vines, carrying the same past the fan mechanism and automatically delivering the same into the receptacle.

7 In a berry picking mechanism, a rotatable combined drum-shaped picking and -ward curved side of' said adjacent set of a n r Y Y ka5 8. In a machine of the character Vdestationary frame, a rotary carrier structure comprising a; pair ofv en d plates Iforming the means for supplying the rotary movement to kthe pickingmechanism, a drum-shaped carrier yconnecting i saidy end plates, a plurality ofhsets o f curved picker fingersl secured tov said. carrier,y retaining 'guardsl secured on thesurfacel ofthe'carrier .adjacent the picker Vfingers andaendlplates, ,Y

and a berry receptacle located adjacent to- 'and rearwardly ofthepicking mechanism,

the picker ngers operating to sever the berries from the vines and retain the same on the kdrum-shaped carrier until carried over the drum to a position adjacent the receptacle, the structure being such as to permit berries to then roll on to the upper surface of the adjacent set of fingers ahead and be directed to the berry receptacle by the rearfingers.

scribed, the combination of a relatively stationary supporting frame provided with a curved slot in the end walls of the'frame, driving wheels mounted on the outside of said frame, an auxiliary frame pivoted on the inside of said supporting frame, means for securing said auxiliary frame in various positions with respect to said stationary frame, a berry picking mechanism supported on the auxiliary frame having an operating shaft extending through the slots in said Y supporting frame, a receptacle, and meansA for operating the picking mechanism from Y the driving wheels, comprising a driving ico means on said wheels and. a driven means A on the shaft of said picking mechanism.

9. In a machine Vof the character described, the combination of a stationary supporting frame, driving wheels carried thereby, an auxiliary frame supported by said picking mechanism carriedrbyV the auxiliary frame providedl with a driving shaft and a pinion thereon, a rotary fan mechanism carried by said auxiliary frame provided with a driving mechanism, including a shaft and an operating pinion, and driving gears connected to said wheels ,adapted to mesh with each of said pinions. Y

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a stationary supporting frame, driving wheels located outf side of said fra1ne,ran Vauxiliary frame ad`f :justably pivoted on the inside of said supporting frame, a rotary picking mechanism supported onthe auxiliary frame provided vwith a driving shaft and pinion, a rotary fan mechanism supported on the auxiliary frame and provided with operating mechanism, including la shaft and a driving pinion, and gears on said wheels adapted to mesh with said pinions. f

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a stationary supporting frame' driving Wheels mounted on the frame, an auxiliary frame pivoted on said stationary frame provided With a series of openings therein, a pin Carried by the 5 outer frame and adapted vto be inserted in any one of the openings in the auxiliary frame to thereby adjust the relative position fof said frames, a lberry picker mechanism carried by the auxiliary frame, a receptacle, and means for operatingthe picking mecha- 1 0@ nisni from the driving Wheels. n

In Witness whereof, I have hereuntov set my hand this 14th -day of February, A. D. 1917. f

WILLIAM GRIFFIN.

"Copies yofrthis patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 'A 

